Although Lou Lamoriello says there’s “no panic,” he has options to replace No. 1 center Travis Zajac, who will probably miss the first quarter of the Devils’ comeback season following Achilles tendon surgery yesterday.
Several veteran unrestricted free agent centers remain on the market, including Kyle Wellwood, Mike Modano, and ex-Devil John Madden.
Zajac, the franchise-record Iron Man whose streak of 401 consecutive games played will end come opening night against the Flyers, will be out until at least mid-November, probably missing some 20 games.
“There’s no panic. That’s what we have depth for, and a minor league system,” the Devils general manager said. “It had to be repaired, so (the Achilles tendon) was torn.”
Lamoriello said he did not know whether the vital tendon in Zajac’s left calf was severed.
The GM said Zajac suffered the injury in Winnipeg during off-ice training that involved jumping. The surgery requires a three-month recovery and rehabilitation period.
“It’s a simple procedure, but it’s three months,” Lamoriello said. “He’ll be back sooner than you think.”
Zajac finished third in scoring for the Devils last season (13-31-44), playing all 82 games. The 26-year-old, who will be late starting his sixth NHL season, has 89 goals and 160 assists for 249 points in 408 NHL games. He was New Jersey’s first pick, 20th overall, in 2004.